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Aftermarket Wheels - advice
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- Member
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- Location: Lytham St Annes, Lancashire
Aftermarket Wheels - advice
So, after 35+ years of motoring I've taken my first steps into upgrades with a Superchips Remap. Next for the new steer I'm looking at the possibility of changing the 19" wheels (with run flats) currently fitted for 18" versions (with normal tyres). The 19" look great, but the ride really is too hard for my local roads (and old back!), and I quite fancy changing to black wheels.
So, first question: Will a wheel change really make that much difference to the ride?
Next, can anyone suggest a decent website for the wheels/tyres.
What options do I have regarding the size of tyres? is it best to stick with a proven setup?
Next, is there a decent demand for selling the 19" wheels, which I believe are 326's?
What price would I expect and where is the best place to list them?
The rears had brand new tyres fitted for the MOT a couple of weeks ago, the fronts are okay.
TIA
So, first question: Will a wheel change really make that much difference to the ride?
Next, can anyone suggest a decent website for the wheels/tyres.
What options do I have regarding the size of tyres? is it best to stick with a proven setup?
Next, is there a decent demand for selling the 19" wheels, which I believe are 326's?
What price would I expect and where is the best place to list them?
The rears had brand new tyres fitted for the MOT a couple of weeks ago, the fronts are okay.
TIA
Z3 rare 2L Straight 6. Should have kept it!
E85 3.0Si sold back in 2014. Should have kept it!
E89 20i just arrived 2021
E85 3.0Si sold back in 2014. Should have kept it!
E89 20i just arrived 2021
- mr.tourette
- Lifer
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Aftermarket Wheels - advice
18s will help some, tyre choice will help too.. Dunlop sportsmaxx rt2 are one of the best rated tyres for comfort.. I actually went up from 18 to 19 and the dunlops on 19s rode just as good if not better than michelins on 18s. Sizing is going to help too so increasing sidewall height will give more cushion effect.. iirc the e89 uses 225.35 fr and 255.30 rear.. You can try 225.40fr 255.35 as used on the e85.. Combine those with a set of dunlops on 18s and you should get a more comfortable ride.. Your other option may be to change out the msport springs for se springs.. The se car on 18s and even 19s rides really well on non run flat rubber
Last edited by mr.tourette on Mon Aug 23, 2021 9:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
if its got tits or tyres..its trouble
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- Lifer
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Aftermarket Wheels - advice
It’s a shame you can’t have a drive in an E89 on quality non run flats, I’ve no doubt you’d stick with your current wheels and save yourself some hassle selling. The heavier 35i/is cars are so smooth and simply night and day on them compared to run flats, so yours would be even softer.
M roady...OEM CSL’s, strut brace, Remus back boxes, ZHP
MR2 MK 2
E89 35i project car...mapped 365bhp, M4 stoppers & wheels, KWV3’s, H&R front ARB, M3 front arms, strut brace Eisenmann cat back race exhaust, VRSF downpipes inbound
E89 35is
G29
MR2 MK 2
E89 35i project car...mapped 365bhp, M4 stoppers & wheels, KWV3’s, H&R front ARB, M3 front arms, strut brace Eisenmann cat back race exhaust, VRSF downpipes inbound
E89 35is
G29
- R.E92
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Aftermarket Wheels - advice
The hard part of upgrading wheels is finding a wheel with the right PCD and offsets that's forged and doesnt cost £800 per wheel.
The best wheel choice for the E89 is genuine BMW 437M wheels, they are strong, light and can be picked up for between £500 and £800 a set depending on condition.
Most aftermarket wheels you see for sale will be gravity or low pressure cast and in my opinion are a huge downgrade for any vehicle.
Some wheels use a casting process called "flow forming" ( or sometimes deceptively referred to as "flow forged") which is still casting but produces a stronger result. I believe a lot of the lower end BMW wheels are done using this method so this should be the baseline for any wheel change.
The problem is that a set of flow formed wheels will probably cost you more than the forged BMW 437M wheels.
The best wheel choice for the E89 is genuine BMW 437M wheels, they are strong, light and can be picked up for between £500 and £800 a set depending on condition.
Most aftermarket wheels you see for sale will be gravity or low pressure cast and in my opinion are a huge downgrade for any vehicle.
Some wheels use a casting process called "flow forming" ( or sometimes deceptively referred to as "flow forged") which is still casting but produces a stronger result. I believe a lot of the lower end BMW wheels are done using this method so this should be the baseline for any wheel change.
The problem is that a set of flow formed wheels will probably cost you more than the forged BMW 437M wheels.
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Aftermarket Wheels - advice
Well can't comment on 437M but my original Bmw 18s weighs a ton which were made in Turkey btw. Replaced them with Vertini Magic Concave 19's which are lighter.
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Aftermarket Wheels - advice
I recently changed my stock 18s for 437M 19s with non run flats, and honestly I find the ride has improved.
OP I would be tempted to try different tyres, non run flat, on your 326s
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Aftermarket Wheels - advice
Unfortunately the dealer put a brand new pair of run flats on the rear to get it through it's MOT just before I bought it. I'd be loathed to swap those out, unless there's a market for as-new tyres?
Might have to do a few burn-outs to get through them!
Might have to do a few burn-outs to get through them!
Z3 rare 2L Straight 6. Should have kept it!
E85 3.0Si sold back in 2014. Should have kept it!
E89 20i just arrived 2021
E85 3.0Si sold back in 2014. Should have kept it!
E89 20i just arrived 2021
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Aftermarket Wheels - advice
yes theres a market for as new tyres. swap them out for non-run flats, and put the others on ebay. secondhand run flats are still worth a surprising amount, for some reason...
- tiglon
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Aftermarket Wheels - advice
To offer a slightly different point of view to other responses...
From my own experience, the 17 inch wheels with SE suspension and runflats on my 30i were infinitely more comfortable than my 35is with 19 inch wheels and non RF michelins. Given your comments about your back etc, I don't think you'd be happy with the ride on my 35is and for that reason I would suggest sticking to your original idea and also getting smaller wheels. My priority is grip, so my setup is perfect for me, but it certainly isn't the most comfortable.
Runflats certainly make a difference to ride quality, but they aren't the only factor. Don't forget, sporty suspension with big wheels has always resulted in comparatively poor ride quality, before run flats were even a thing.
IMHO, smaller wheels will make more of a difference than switching to non-RFs.
From my own experience, the 17 inch wheels with SE suspension and runflats on my 30i were infinitely more comfortable than my 35is with 19 inch wheels and non RF michelins. Given your comments about your back etc, I don't think you'd be happy with the ride on my 35is and for that reason I would suggest sticking to your original idea and also getting smaller wheels. My priority is grip, so my setup is perfect for me, but it certainly isn't the most comfortable.
Runflats certainly make a difference to ride quality, but they aren't the only factor. Don't forget, sporty suspension with big wheels has always resulted in comparatively poor ride quality, before run flats were even a thing.
IMHO, smaller wheels will make more of a difference than switching to non-RFs.
2014 E89 35is Valencia Orange 788M wheels (M2 Competition), E90 M3 control arms, Eibach Pro Kit Springs, MHD Stage 1
- Zforbes
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Aftermarket Wheels - advice
I just dumped the runflats yesterday, non-runflats fitted to the same wheel as you have. Not done many miles but my initial thoughts are the non-runlats are not noticably different on comfort. Tramlining has improved though compared to the Bridgestone RE050 RFT.
Not sure how old or worn your fronts are but I found the tramlining got worse as the tyre wore down.
One problem i do have though, the tyre fitter informed me that one of my wheels had an airline crack in it I'd checked the rears before taking it as it's always the rears that crack so was gobsmaked to hear this but it's actually a front one thats cracked
I'm now looking for a front wheel to replace this with
Not sure how old or worn your fronts are but I found the tramlining got worse as the tyre wore down.
One problem i do have though, the tyre fitter informed me that one of my wheels had an airline crack in it I'd checked the rears before taking it as it's always the rears that crack so was gobsmaked to hear this but it's actually a front one thats cracked
I'm now looking for a front wheel to replace this with
E89 sDrive 35is Titan Silver Kansas Black Leather
- Ole gits rule
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Aftermarket Wheels - advice
Quite a few on eBay starting at £100 but will need a refurb or some which look mint but ar £250 +Zforbes wrote: ↑Tue Aug 24, 2021 9:27 am I just dumped the runflats yesterday, non-runflats fitted to the same wheel as you have. Not done many miles but my initial thoughts are the non-runlats are not noticably different on comfort. Tramlining has improved though compared to the Bridgestone RE050 RFT.
Not sure how old or worn your fronts are but I found the tramlining got worse as the tyre wore down.
One problem i do have though, the tyre fitter informed me that one of my wheels had an airline crack in it I'd checked the rears before taking it as it's always the rears that crack so was gobsmaked to hear this but it's actually a front one thats cracked
I'm now looking for a front wheel to replace this with
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334112755591 ... SwpqVhFuBv
M4 Vert in Yas Marina Blue
2011 23i M Sport Highline in Alpine White with Smart Top installed - Gone but not forgotten.
2011 23i M Sport Highline in Alpine White with Smart Top installed - Gone but not forgotten.
- Zforbes
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Aftermarket Wheels - advice
Thanks for looking I've seached ebay but thought it better to see if any fellow furum members had anything lying about as these are usually ditched for cracked rears, don't want to hijack the OP's thread, I have a wanted thread in marketplaceOle gits rule wrote: ↑Tue Aug 24, 2021 10:00 amQuite a few on eBay starting at £100 but will need a refurb or some which look mint but ar £250 +Zforbes wrote: ↑Tue Aug 24, 2021 9:27 am I just dumped the runflats yesterday, non-runflats fitted to the same wheel as you have. Not done many miles but my initial thoughts are the non-runlats are not noticably different on comfort. Tramlining has improved though compared to the Bridgestone RE050 RFT.
Not sure how old or worn your fronts are but I found the tramlining got worse as the tyre wore down.
One problem i do have though, the tyre fitter informed me that one of my wheels had an airline crack in it I'd checked the rears before taking it as it's always the rears that crack so was gobsmaked to hear this but it's actually a front one thats cracked
I'm now looking for a front wheel to replace this with
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334112755591 ... SwpqVhFuBv
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=131050
i'm not desperate yet as the car won't be used for a week or so
E89 sDrive 35is Titan Silver Kansas Black Leather
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Aftermarket Wheels - advice
I upgraded my wheels from 18" to 19" and went with non-runflats and the car runs far smoother and more comfortable now with the 19s than it did with the 18s. So the key difference is the tyres. Go with the non-run-flats first and see how you feel. I got Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetric 5s all round and they're a really great tyre. They're no MPS4s but they're not as pricey either.
Also, I've picked up a couple punctures with the non-runflats and they hold pressure long enough to drive to Kwik-fit, even if they not supposed to be run-flats, so I'm not massively concerned about not having a spare.
Also, I've picked up a couple punctures with the non-runflats and they hold pressure long enough to drive to Kwik-fit, even if they not supposed to be run-flats, so I'm not massively concerned about not having a spare.
2012 E89 sDrive20i M Sport Celtic Tuning Stage 3 Remap
2008 E86 Z4 M Sport 2.0i - Gone
2003 E46 316ti M Sport - Gone
2008 E86 Z4 M Sport 2.0i - Gone
2003 E46 316ti M Sport - Gone